Form for plastic structural work



Oct. 15, 1935. A. E. TRolEL. 2,017,553 PLASTI'C s Filed Nov. 9, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet l 1935. A. E. TROIEL 2,017,553

FORM FOR PLASTIC STRUCTURAL WORK Filed Nov. 9, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 i NE Oct. 15, 1935. A. ETROIEI. 2,017,553

FORM FOR PLASTIC STRUCTURAL WORK Filed Nov. .9, 1931 6 Sheefc's-Shet 3 .INVENTOR. Maw

Oct. 15 1935. E. TRQOIEL 1 FORM FGR RPASIIC STRUCTURAL WORK Filed Now. 9, 1931 e Sheets Sheet 4 Oct. 15, 1935. A. E. TROIEL 2,017,553

FORM FOR PLASTIC STRUCTURAL WORK Filed Nov. 9, 1931 s Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

ATTORN S.

dct. 15, I935: A. E. TROIEL 2,017,553

FORM FOR PLASTIC STRUCTURAL WORK Filed Nov. 9, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 6' I INVENTOR. Z8 BY Patented Oct. 15, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,017,553 FORM FOR PLASTIC S TRUCTURAL WORK Arthur E. Troiel, Berkeley, Calif. Application November 9, 1931, Serial No. 573,739

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in forms for plastic structural work, and pertains more particularly to improvements in interchangeable and adjustable metallic forms designed for' use in connection with monolithic concrete construction.

It is the object of the present invention to improve and simplify forms for plastic structural work by the provision of a system of forms composed of parts that are simple in construction, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and capable of being quickly assembled in any one of a plurality of combinations to provide true and rigid support for plastic building material.

The invention comprises a plurality of steel panels having co-operating edges formed to permit of the arrangement and securement oi the panels into a continuous smooth flat wall. It also includes novel means for securing two of said walls rigidly in spaced relation; thereby creating a form into which concrete may, be poured and allowed to set. The invention further consists in improved means for providing reinforcing for said walls, as well as means for fabricating integrally poured corners, pillars, floors and ceilings. Door and window frames also may be cast into the concrete through the provision of mechanical means associated with the forms. Conduit or pipe may be secured in position to be surrounded by the concrete by novel bracketsdesigned for that purpose;

Many other novel features are embodied in the invention for the purpose of expediting the assemblingand dismantling of the forms simplifying their construction and reducing the cost of manufacture.

The invention is more fully described in the following specification and shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings. these drawings Fig. l is a perspective view of a portion of a wall form embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a similar form and also supported between concrete walls;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a clamp member employed for the purpose of clamping veitical aligning members against the panels of which the form is made;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a clamp similar 5 to that shown in Fig. 7 and provided with means for supporting and clamping horizontal aligning members;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a corner plate employed for corner construction in columns and 10 the like;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a column form showing the application of the corner plate shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a preferred form of means for supporting a window or door frame within the wall form in order that concrete may be poured around it;

Fig. 12 is a vertical section showing the manner in which electric conduit pipes, or the like, may be held in place within the wall form dur-' ing the pouring operation;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a member used for holding the conduit or pipes in the manner shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a modification of the member shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of a wall column form such as that shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing a method for securing small window frames such as ventilators, or the like, in position within the form so that concrete may be poured about them;

Fig. 17 is a vertical section of a portion of a form showing means for providing a form for the reception of a floor or ceiling poured integrally with the wall form;

Fig. 18 .isa view similar to Fig. 17 showing the manner in which a wooden floor may be Fig. 19 is a detailed perspective view of the type of floor forms employed in the construction illustrated in Fig. 1'7;

Fig. 20 shows a modified form of the tie memher shown in Fig. 5, and

Fig. 21 shows a further modification of the same.

The forms consists, essentially, as shown in the drawings, of a plurality of steel panels such errbly steel, and have their top and bottom edges bent to assume an L-shaped flange so as to provide channels II at said edges. The channels H are provided with perforations I2 at uniformly spaced intervals throughout their entire length.

Perforated angle iron abutting members l3 are removably secured, preferably by means of bolts M to the ends of the panels and are adapted to be used in securing the panels together in end- Wise relation. By removing one of the abutting members [3, from a panel [0, a similar panel, slightly smaller in cross-sectional contour, may he slipped between the channels ll of a panel l; thereby providing an adjustable extension member by means of which the effective length of the panel may be changed as little as inch, if desired, depending upon the spacing of holes through which bolts, or the like, may be inserted for securing the panel and the telescoping member together. In this manner, it is possible to build walls of any desired length, of stock-size panels varying as much as one foot in length, the telescoping members being employed to compensate for odd inches in the length of the wall.

Spreaders or tie members IS, a detailed view of which is seen in Fig. 5,'are employed to fix and maintain two sets of panels in spaced relation-to one another so as to provide the desired thickness to the wall being formed.

Anchor wedges it, one of which is illustrated in Fig. 4, rigidly secure and properly space the panels with relation to the tie members l5. Form locks H, such as shown in Fig. 6, cooperate with the angle iron abutting members l3 to lock the ends of the panels together.

Braces l8, preferably made of wood, lend rigidity to the individual panels and prevent bellying due to the weight of the wet concrete when it is poured into the forms and before it sets. The braces l8 are quickly and easily removed from the panels as they are maintained in place therein by means of the channels H. They may also be adjusted or moved sideways in the channels to line up with vertical aligning members, to be hereinafter described, and any number of braces may be used in each panel according to the variation in pressure caused by the concrete at different heights of the pour. The braces are placed in position on the panels by being first laid flat against the panel at an angle to its edges and then twisted to assume a vertical position so thatthe opposite ends of the braces are disposed within and retained in position by the top and bottom channels I I. For convenience in lining up the braces, the outer edges of the panels may be provided with equally spaced indentations (not shown) which also serve to frictionally retain the braces at established centers. Each brace is provided with a metal pin l9 which passes through it and extends outwardly beyond its edges.- The pins l9 serve as a means of engagement for a clamp 20, such as shown in Fig. '7, and which serves to clamp a brace or vertical aligning member 2| against the outer sides of the panels in order to maintain them in alignment.

Referring more specifically to the'several members above mentioned, and first to the tie members l5, it should be understood that each of these members consists of a strap shaped piece of metal perforated as at 22 to receive nails in instances where it is desired to secure the tie-member to a wooden starting course, such as indicated at 23 in Fig. 3. Larger perforations 22a are positioned for alignment with the perforations l2 in the channels I I of the panels,so that a bent nail or pin may be inserted to prevent movement of the tie members at right angles to the panels. The tie members are also scored, as shown at 24, the scores being so spaced thereupon that after the concrete is poured around the tie members, they will lie slightly within the outer surface thereof. Accordingly, when the pouring is finished and the forms removed, the protruding ends of each tie member may be easily broken away at a point 10 just behind the surface of the concrete so as not to interfere with the application of a finishing coat.

A'notch 25, or, if desired, a plurality of such notches, may be formed centrally of the tie bar for the purpose of receiving reinforcing rods 26. The outer edges of the notch 25 may be provided with small lugs 21 bent away so as to admit the reinforcing rods. The lugs 21 are intended to be bent toward each other after the rods 26 are put into place, thus securing the rods against displacement until the concrete is poured. Each tie member is provided with a slot 28 adjacent each of its end! for the reception of the anchor wedges l6 to be more fully described hereinafter.

A modified form of tie member is shown in Fig. 20, wherein it is illustrated as being provided with a plurality of notches 25 for 'the reception of reinforcing rods. A further modification appears in Fig. 21 in which an adjustable tie 80 member is shown. This tie member is provided with a plurality of equally spaced perforations 22 throughout substantially its whole length, and has an additional scored portion indicated at 24a and disposed centrally of its length. This 85 adjustable tie member is intended for emergency use. to take the place of tie members of any de-'- sired length when there is a shortage and an urgent demand. If, for instance, a 12" tie member is needed, the adjustable tie member which 40 is considerably longer, is broken at the score 24a, and its ends riveted together through the perforations 22; thus, by matching different sets Y of the perforations 22, the length of the tie mema nail or other convenient twisting member mayso be placed between the strands of the wire, and twisted, thus shortening the distance between the two halves of the tie member until the prope length is obtained.

The anchor wedges I6 consist of a flat piece of metal having a wedge shaped elongated prong 29 to which is joined a short prong 30 spaced from the long prong by means of a slot 3|. In setting up the'-- form, the lowermost panels are first placed in position. Tie members I 5 are then laid across the tops thereof, as shown, and the second horizontal row of panels is then set upon the tie members, the outer ends of which project outwardly so as to expose the slots 28. With the panels and tie members in this position, the anchor wedges are put in place, the long prongs 29 thereof being inserted through the slots 28 and the slots 3| of the anchor wedges embracing the upturned edge of the bottom channel of the 7 uppermost panel. Thus the panels are effectively secured with relation to each other and secured and properly spaced with relation to the tie members. Pins or bent nails may be inserted, as above stated, through the panel perforations l2 and tie is member perforations 22a, to insure against sidewise displacement of the tie members.

The vertical abutting edges of the panels. being provided as described with the perforated angle irons l3, are secured together with, the form locks ll, each of which consists of a flat plate 32 provided with a pin 33 and having an extension 34 bent around parallel to the flat plate, and a further extension 35 bent outwardly to serve as an operating handle. The form locks are placed in position with the pin 33 inserted through aligning holes in the angle irons i3 and then swung downwardly by meansof the handle 35, so that the two angle irons are embraced between' the plate 32 and the extension 34.

In Fig. 3 it may be seen that the angle irons I 3 are provided, in addition to the regular perforations, with elongated slots, one adjacent their upper end, and the other adjacent the lower end.

These slots are of great importance, as when a form lock is used, if the pin thereof is inserted through one of these slots rather than the regular perforation, it is possible to raise or lower the panel slightly for the purpose of aligning or adjusting; thus the form locks maybe applied loosely upon setting up the panels, and when proper vertical adjustments are made, may be clamped into place in the manner set forth above. The application of the form lock is thus seen to be simple and efi'ective, and it is quite as easily removed when the forms are taken down.

The vertical aligning members 2|, which for ordinary jobs consist of rough 2 x 4 timbers, are

then placed in position alongside of the braces. The clamps 20, consisting of a pair of hooks 36 joined at their outer ends by means of a bar 31, are then placed in position with the hooks 36 engaging the pins is in the braces and embracing the vertical aligning member. The bar 31 threadedly receive a bolt 38 swivelly engaging at its end a plate 39, which is slidably mounted on the straight portion of the hooks. Thus, by turning the bolt 38 with a suitable wrench, the plate 39 is forced against the outer edge of the vertical aligning member, with the result that the panels are drawn against it.

It is also occasionally necessary to provide horizontal aligning members Zia for co-operation with the vertical aligning member 2| in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Special clamps are provided for the reception of the horizontal aligning members, the construction of these clamps being shown in Fig. 8, in which a clamp identical with that shown in Fig. 7 is provided a with an extension 39a and a set screw 38a. The

extension 39a serves as a support for the horizontal aligning member while the set screw is operable to force it into engagement with the vertical aligning member, thus insuring a rigid and accurate connection.

The members as described so far are those employed to form straight and flat walls. Corner members may be employed for joining such walls at angles to each other, and in their preferred form consist essentially of an. inside corner member 40 and an outside corner member 4|, such as shown in Fig. 2. Each of the members 40 and 4| is formed of plates bent to a ninety degree angle and provided with inwardly bent flanges 42 and outwardly bent flanges 43, respectively. The flanges 42 and 43 are perforated at equally spaced intervals, and alternate perforations register with those of the angle irons l3 on the vertical edges of the panels, so that the corner members may be secured with tie members are employed, as it is desirable that they be of sufiicient length to extend completely through the column and wall. Such a wall column tie is indicated at 45.

In order that the wall column may be made any desired thickness, extensions in the form of pilaster plates 46 are connected to the corner members 40 and extend outwardly therefrom. A detailed View of these pilaster plates appears in Fig. 15, in which figure they are shown as consisting of a flat member 47 having a flanged perforated edge 48.- Each pilaster plate is provided with spaced rows of perforations of a novel shape, as shown. These perforations consist of the combination of an elongated slot 49 and a circular hole 50 partially overlying the slot. They are so spaced with relation to each other that when the pilaster plate is bolted or riveted to a corner member, or other like member having perforations spaced. apart a standard distance, one of the elongated slots is disposed just beyond the edge of the corner member in the manner shown; hence this slot serves for the reception of a tie. member which may be inserted crosswise of the wall column and bolted to the flanges of the corner member, one of these tie members being shown 'at Si in Fig. 2.

In order to form the face of the wall column, standard panels of any desired length may be used and connected to the angles 48 of the pilaster plates by means of specially designed lock plates 52. These look plates 52 are rectangular in shape and are each provided with a notch 53 to embrace the flanged edge 48 of the pilasters. The lock plates are positioned between the superimposed panels, assuming positions similar to the position assumed by the tie members, and are provided with a pair of elongated slots 54 which serve for the reception of standard wedge members l6, and also extend inwardly so that their inner ends register with perforations in the channel shaped edges of the panels for the reception of bent nails which prevent the lock plates from ter plates when theconcrete is poured.

In Fig. 9 I show a corner plate used in connection with a modified form of cprner construction, such as shown in Fig. 10, and which is particularly adapted to the fabrication of pillar forms of relatively small dimensions out of panel membeing forced outwardly by spreading of the pilasbers of random lengths. This corner plate consists of a flat member 55 cut at an angle, as shown, and provided with perforations for registry with perforations i2 in the channels H of the panel members. provided for registry with some of the perforations l2, so that the plate may be placed on a corner formed of two panels in the manner shown in Fig. 10, with the pins 56 inserted through the perforations in the panels to temporarily hold the panels in the desired position until a second set of panels is placed on top of the first set and bolts are passed through the Aligning pins 56 are alsoregistering perforations of the panels and corner plate, thus rigidly securing the same in an adjusted position. The corner plates may be used, one on each of the corners of a panelmember, and when bolted in place between two sets of panels, provide a very rigid structure, the chief advantage of which is that it is so constructed that a pillar of certain dimensions may be made of panels of any lengths.

Referring to Fig. 11 of the drawings, there is illustrated one manner in which a door frame may be cast into the concrete as it is being poured. In this figure the frame is shown as supported by bracket plates 51 adapted to be positioned between the edges of the panels and provided with slots 56 for the reception of wedge members lB-and bent nails or pins in the same manner as the lock plates 52 illustrated in Fig. 2.

The bracket plates 57 extend inwardly from the inner surface of the panelsand are provided with angles 59 welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto. The angles 59 serve as supports for the frame illustrated at 6!), or as supports for wooden blocks 6| which may be cut to any desired length in order to maintain the frame at a proper height. The bracket plates may also be inverted to engage the lower portion of the frame, as shown, to prevent floating of the frame when the concrete is poured, and where the frame is of considerable length, they may be positioned intermediate it sends to prevent the sides from bulging inwardly due to the pressure of the wet concrete against them.

Another method of securing frames in position between the panels, and a method which is best adapted for use in oonnectionwith very small windows, basement ventilators, and the like, is shown in Fig. 16, in which a small frame 62 is shown as nailed to long tie members 63. The tie members 63 are connected to the panels in the usual manner, as SIT'lWl'l, and bent downwardly against the inner side thereof. Where an especially rigid support is desirable, ,the lower end of the tie member may be bent under the lower end of the panel and again secured in the usual manner, this method of fastening also preventing floating of the window frame 62 when the concrete is poured.

For the purpose of supporting water or gas pipes or electrical conduit within the forms, so that the concrete may be poured around them, special conduit hangers, such as shown in Fig. 13, are employed. These conduit hangers consist of a flat metal strap 64 perforated for the reception of the conduit or pipe at 65 scored for breaking as at 66 and slotted as at 61. The member is placed between theedges of the panels in a position corresponding to that of a standard tie member, as shown in Fig. 12. A wedge member I6 is inserted through the slot 61, thereby maintaining the conduit 68 which is slipped through the perforation 65 in any desired position. The slot 61 will be noted to be of such a length that apin inserted through perforations I! of the channels II will pass through it, preventing sidewise slipping of the conduit hangers. Conduit boxes 69 may be secured to the ends of: the conduit by lock nuts, etc. as is customary practice. A modified form of conduit hanger is illustrated in Fig. 14 in which the conduit receiving perforation is elongated, as shown at 10,.and has one side out and bent upwardly to form a lug 1|. With this type of conduit hanger it is not necessary to thread the conduit through the perforation prior to assembling the conduit and conduit fittings. The conduit is inserted into the perforation Ili through the space left by the lug H, and when in position, the lug II is bent downwardly to retain the conduit against dislodgment.

A method provided by my invention for pouring floors, ceilings or the like, integrally with walls, is illustrated in Fig. 1'7, in which figure a '5 ribbon I2, which may be a timber or board of any convenient size, is shown as nailed against the struts l8 of the panels. Temporary joists I3 are supported between pairs of ribbons l2, and in turn support a horizontal form which consists of 10' telescoping flanged plates l4 and -15, as best shown in Fig. 19. The inner plates 14 may be relativelyv thick, preferably about A; of an inch, while the outer portion of the telescoping plate 15 is tl'nnner, being about of an inch, so that 18 are laid side by side, and in order that the form :5

may also be adjustable as to width, the final plate is of different construction, being a. lap plate 11, such as shown in Fig. 19. The lap plate TI is perforated, as shown at 18, so that a nail may be employed to secure it in its proper position, as

shown.

Concrete is shown as poured to the top level of the floor in Fig. 17, and in order to continue the wall on upwardly above the floor, a new starting course is made of timbers of different widths,

such as illustrated at 19 and 80. The timber I9 being the widest, is placed upon the top of the outside panel, and the narrow timber 80 is placed upon the top of the floor, the timber 80 being of such a width as to provide a level starting course. a

The wall form is then continued upwardly from the starting course by arranging the panels in the same manner as heretofore described.

When it is desired to support wooden flooring or ceiling between'the concrete walls, the following 46 method may be employed:

- Referring to Fig. 18, a permanent joist 8| is shown as having its end embedded in the concrete, the bottom of the joists being temporarily supported on top of one of the panels. When the 50' concrete has .been poured and permitted to set around the ends of the joists in this manner, the customary wooden flooring or decking 82 may be nailed in place. The wall may then be continued upwardly by employing a pilaster plate in the position shown at 83, in this manner bringing the level of the outer form up to that of the top surface of the joist 8|, The usual starting course is then employed in the manner shown, one timber being placed ontop of the pilaster plate at 83, and the other resting upon the tops of the flooring 82. The spaces between the joists may be filled while the concrete is being poured, either with short metal plates or pieces of wood, which may be either permanently or temporarily nailed into position.

While I have illustrated and described apreferred form of my invention, it should be understood that various changes may be resorted to in the construction and arrangement of its several parts within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. In a form for plastic structural work, a pluserted between abutting edges of adjacent panels,

and wedge members engaging said tie members and having portions interlocking with the free edges of the flanges to secure'thepanels in position to form a continuous form surface.

2. For combination with a plastic wall form,

through said slots and engageable with the freeedges of the flanges to secure the panels against movement with relation to the members.

"3. For combination with a wall form, comprising panels having vertically extending brace members thereon, pins in said brace members, and vertical aligning members, clamps engageable with said vertical aligning members and the pins in said braces to draw the panels toward the aligning members, horizontal aligning members engageable with the vertical aligning members and means carried by said clamps for connecting the vertical and horizontal aligning members.

4. In a form for plastic wall construction, comprising a plurality of rectangular panel members having U-shaped flanges on their top and bottom edges, angle-shaped members secured to the side edges of the panels, said angle-shaped members being removable to permit the insertion of slightly smaller panels between said U-shaped flanges in telescoping relation to form a panel that is adjustable in length.

5. In combination with a form for plastic wall construction, comprising panel members having flanged perforated edges, plates for connecting said panel members at an angle to each other, said plates having perforations therein for registry,

with the perforated flanged edges of the panels,

- and pins fixed to the plates and positionedithereon for insertion through perforations in the flanged edges of two panels disposed at an angle to each other.

6. For combination with a form for plastic wall 5 construction, comprising a plurality of panels connected at their edges to provide continuous form surfaces, and aligning members engageable with the panels on the outside of the form, clamps embracing the aligning members and secured 0 with relation to the panels, means carried by the clamps for urging the panels into engagement with the aligning members and means carried by the clamps to support and clamp other aligning members against the first namedaligning mem- 15 bers.

'7. The combination with wall forms of the character described of a plate adapted to lie between abutting edges of adjacent form panels with one end within the form and having a per- 20 foration at its end within the form to receive a conduit to brace the conduit while concrete is poured around'it, and means for' securing the outer end of the plate with relation to the edges of the panels.

. 8. The combination with .wall forms of the character described of a plate adapted to lie between abutting edges of adjacent form panels with one end .within the form and having a perforation at its end within the form to receive so ting panel edges and slotted tie members extending between said panel edges, which comprises a. wedge shaped pronginsertable into the slot of a tie member, and a shorter prong spaced therefrom and engageable with one of said panel edges.

' ARTHUR E. TROIEL. 

